The Engagement

I like how George and Jerry decide to grow up but then Jerry changes his mind

A perfect episode to start out Season 7.

Larry David is a freaking genius. The idea of George getting engaged is absolute gold. This is probably about the only thing Seinfeld hadn't tackled before: marriage. It is not marriage per se in this season but is the world of long-term relationships and who better to be the protagonist of that situation that our hero George Costanza.

Everything about George's story is perfect. From the opening conversation with Jerry to the Costanza's reaction and him regretting his decision in a matter of minutes. And it makes perfect sense that Susan is his choice considering his past with her and above that she just makes the perfect hateable wife. I got nothing against her, but you could see why George would have.

That being said, it is not a perfect episode and the main reason is the other parallel story. Elaine situation with the barking dog is very funny and surprisingly relatable but it is the way they handle it that takes Seinfeld into more absurd ground, a ground they would approach further on the series. Because up until this season there were no incredibly weird or improbable events in Seinfeld track record (except for a few times) but it is in Season 7 that the weirdness started taking hold of the show. Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. Here it definitely works but it differentiates too much with such a realistic thing as marriage on the other side. Plus, it doesn't connect at all with the other story.

Nevertheless it's a great opening episode for this season and the start of one the most memorable arcs in the series.

This episode whilst about George and jerrys pact,is brilliant because of the Elaine,Kramer,Numan dog knapping story...listen to every line these three say,it's hilarious ... one of the best episodes ever!

Look, I get that past storylines have been a bit crazy but not even George would have gotten married over one conversation with Jerry.

I don't like where this storyline is going and really it should have just been closed/fallen apart by the end of the episode. The joke gets stretched paper thin.

Of course, George is walking example of paranoia. When he and Jerry begin to doubt their purpose in life, George decides he should restore his relationship with Susan. So he goes to her apartment and proposes. She actually says, "Yes." But he immediately begins to regret it, especially when Jerry doesn't follow through on his part. In the subplot, Elaine can't sleep because a dog across the street barks through the night. Kramer tells her that Newman can get rid of the dog, so they dognap him with hilarious results. The byplay is hilarious throughout, especially when George spars with Jerry for not doing the same thing he does--get engaged.